Marcus Mariota
The Tennessee Titans hit with quarterback Marcus Mariota in last year's draft, allowing them to swing a mega-deal for this year's No. 1 pick.
(Associated Press)
BEREA, Ohio - Remember the Titans.
If Hue Jackson is convinced he can mold a franchise quarterback out of the one the Rams don't select, that should be his rallying cry to the analytics-driven Browns' front office.
We're not talking the Hollywood movie starring Denzel Washington. We're talking the NFL team quarterbacked by last year's No. 2 overall pick that just banked a bundle of prime draft picks from the Rams.
The Titans orchestrated the mega-deal, sending this year's No. 1 overall choice to Los Angeles, because they have their quarterback of the future on the roster. If Jackson is confident enough in the abilities of the passer who's been passed over the Browns could be in the same spot the Titans find themselves this year.
The Cleveland roster is so decimated the team almost is assured a top-3 pick again. A good young quarterback isn't going to change the win total drastically, especially in the AFC North. Neither is an injury-prone Robert Griffin III.
Hit on the quarterback this year and the Browns can set themselves up for the future, particularly if they finish with the league's worst record as Marcus Mariota and the Titans did in 2015.
That was a mouthful so let's catch our breath before continuing.
There are still too many variables to take a strong stand on what the Browns should do now that the Rams own the No. 1 pick. For instance, if Jackson isn't sold on the second quarterback - the Rams are obviously taking Jared Goff or Carson Wentz - then trading down makes sense. The organization just can't take a QB to take a QB regardless of how long it's been searching for its franchise savior.
There will be a few quarterback-needy teams willing to trade up and gamble on the second choice. Remember when some thought neither Wentz nor Goff was worthy of the No. 2 overall choice? Well, the Rams just sent their 2016 and 2017 first rounders, a pair of 2016 seconds (No. 43 and 45), and their 2016-17 thirds for the right to have the first choice.
It's a passing league and for the second straight year quarterbacks likely will go Nos. 1-2 overall. Last January, some thought Cardale Jones might be in consideration for one of those slots based on his size, arm strength and remarkable three-game run for Ohio State.
Fail for Cardale, right?
The point is you never know what's going to happen the following year in college football. Presumptive No. 1 pick Deshaun Watson (Clemson) could shred his shoulder. His agent could take one look at the 2016 Browns and pull an Eli Manning. Also, the club could finish 3-13 again only to have another team finish 2-14, leaving the Browns in the same spot as this year.
The organization has to address its woeful quarterback play at some point, and is in a good position to do it now. Griffin might start the season, but Browns' and RG3's history tell us the backup will see ample playing time. In other words, they would get a good read on the rookie's game.
The franchise hired a quarterback-savvy head coach, and the front office needs to rely on his expertise. If Jackson says the second choice isn't worth the risk, then either take the best athlete or trade available. The Rams' bold move eliminates the second-guessing within the walls of Berea on Wentz or Goff. Thursday's events simplify the Browns' work even if it takes one tantalizing option off the table.
A lot can transpire in the next two weeks that alters thinking. We don't know which quarterback the Rams will select or how much a team down the draft board will offer the Browns. It's why definitive takes are foolhardy at this point.
But if Jackson sees franchise potential in the leftover quarterback, the Browns should select him. Worst-case scenario he's a total flop and the Browns are in position to take Watson, assuming he has two functioning shoulders.
There's a lot of "ifs" here, I know. Guess what? That's the NFL draft in a nutshell. The Browns need a quarterback and one of the two best is available to them on April 28.
If they could recreate a Tennessee scenario it would enable them to accelerate their rebuild process. Fail for Cardale is yesterday's slogan. It's time to Remember the Titans.